Paul David Irwin Maier (1874-1936) and Anna Shinn Maier (1874-1941): correspondence, 1929 July

Letters written while P.D.I.M. was vacationing with W.M.M. (J.S.M. was in Europe at the time) at Back Log Quaker Camp near Jackman, Maine.

Some highlights include:

Harriton, 1929 7/20. [A.S.M. writes to discuss a dumping problem. According to her, the Suburban Construction Company contacted her seeking permission from P.D.I.M. to dump on Harriton property. A.S.M. withheld any response, citing her husband’s absence. Later, she discovered that the company had, in fact, dumped on Harriton property without obtaining permission—which elicited an apology from Mr. McGuiley (sp), presumably an employee of the company]

Back Log Camp, 1929 7/23. [P.D.I.M. expresses consternation over the recent dumping problem at Harriton, commenting that he would “hate to see it a dumping ground for the neighborhood” and proposing that A.S.M. erect a sign to prevent similar issues in the future]

Harriton, 1929 7/23. [“I succeeded in getting in touch with my McGuiley (sp) man this morning and isn’t nearly so suave as when he was trying to make pleasant excuses!]

Harriton, 1929 7/26. [A.S.M. discusses the continuing issue of the dump on the Harriton property: “It makes you mad to be imposed on—that’s the worst of it. The actual dump doesn’t interfere with anything—and we may get a fence out of it!” A.S.M. also attended the funeral of a Mr. Graham]

Harriton, 1929 7/28. [“This afternoon Earl Cadbury drove his father up to see me. He is really a pathetic sight—so thin and tottery and apparently not always quite clear in his mind. They were here almost an hour”]

Back Log Camp, 1929 7/30. [“I feel encouraged about my physical condition at least and I hope my nerves are better.” In addition, PDIM notes that “Cousin Tom” has taken ill—“it seems like another stroke”—and that a nurse had been summoned]

Harriton, 1929 7/31. [A.S.M. mentions to P.D.I.M. her decision to dip into the meeting house’s “$1,000 legacy” to paint its interior: “I don’t suppose thee would have approved of that, but I did!” In addition, she expresses concern over an injury W.M.M. sustained “hurdling,” which apparently caused pain after playing tennis. A.S.M. lobbied for him to see a doctor for it, but he ultimately declined]